Kyocera celebrates 25 years in Reading

Reading-born Nick Miller has worked for Kyocera Document Solutions for 22 years

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A Japanese company is celebrating its 25 years in Reading by moving to new offices just outside the town centre.

Kyocera Document Solutions opened its UK headquarters in Beacontree Plaza, Gillette Way, in April 1988 and has since enjoyed huge growth.

Reading-born Nick Miller has been with the company for 22 of those years, starting as an accountant and working his way up to finance director.

He is looking forward to celebrating the company’s silver anniversary in his home town, although he says he had no intention of staying around for so long.

Mr Miller, 47, said: “I was born in Reading and worked for HP [Hewlett-Packard] before so I came from a very large organisation to a very small organisation in those days.

“We are now in six units in Beacontree Plaza and when I joined we were in two. There were two or three accountants and now I have a team of nine.

“In the last four years particularly we have been really fortunate and grown dramatically.”

The company, a provider of print hardware, software and managed document services, will also have space for new recruits in its new HQ.

Mr Miller said: “In March 2009 we were turning over about £36 million and we have doubled that to about £72 million this year.

“We now employ 152 people, not all in Reading, but that’s where our HQ is, so we’ve doubled the number of people we have here in the UK.”

Mr Miller, who was born at Cemetery Junction, says he believes the success of the UK wing of the global company is down to its ethos and the attitude of loyal staff, many of who live in the Reading area.

He said: “Kyocera is very unusual as an international organisation.

“We have a culture which breeds independence so although we are part of a large organisation we exist in a little community.

“Quite a few people have been here for a long time and if you asked them probably none of them would say they expected to be here so long.”

Mr Miller said the 67 Reading staff are excited about their move to Eldon Court, in London Road, but there was never any doubt they would be staying in Reading.

He said: “When we went to Japan to organise our new lease it was wonderful to talk to people who said they have a commitment to our community because that’s where we have grown and we have only grown because of the community we’re in.”

The company likes to play a part in the area and sponsored Reading Football Club at one stage and then worked with Reading Town Football Club and supports a number of children’s football teams.

Members of staff can also take paid leave to carry out work in the community, such as decorating at Camp Mohawk, in Wargrave, or dredging the Kennet for abandoned shopping trolleys.

The company is also planning a year-long programme of community projects and events throughout its anniversary year.

Mr Miller said: “We feel as most of our employees live in this area they want to invest in the area as well.

“We have obviously continued to invest in the area and hopefully the relationships we have created will continue.”